mr. mara

•2•

"Isn't that the new math teacher?" I look up to where Edwin is pointing to. We are at the boys first football game of the season. We always try and come to every game. We love watching them play.

"That's him," I say. "I can't believe he is watching the game. Most teachers don't give a fuck."

"Well most of our teachers are old and nasty anyways," Brandon says. "That would be why none of them ever come."

"True," Ansley says.

"We should go," Zion says. "Coach is going to want us in there in ten."

"Yea," Brandon says. He leans down and kisses Maggie on the cheek. "See you guys later."

"Good luck," we all yell as Zion and Brandon walk away from us. Edwin and Austin don't play football. They both play baseball instead. We also try and go to every baseball game as well.

"I wish we could go talk to him," Izzy whispers to me. "Every other girl is drooling over him, but we can't because we have stupid boyfriends."

"I could," I smirk. "I don't have a boyfriend to worry about."

"No, but you have a big ass brother," she says.

I stand up, "He doesn't scare me."

"What are you even going to say to him?" Izzy asks me. I know she's excited, but I also know she's worried as well. She doesn't want me to get knocked up by a teacher, but she shouldn't worry. I'm not that dumb. "You can't just ask him for his number and go on with your day."

"I can't just talk?" I ask.

"Talking sometimes leads to bad things."

I roll my eyes, "You worry too much, Iz. I'll be back."

I walk up the stairs of the bleachers until I get to the very top. He's sitting alone. That doesn't surprise me though. He's new, so he doesn't have anyone to sit with.

"Hey, Mr. Mara," I say once I'm standing in front of him.

"Oh, hey, uh," he pauses. "Kai, right?"

"Right," I say. I sit down next to him. "Are you excited for the game?"

"Yes," he smiles. "I haven't been to a football game in years. The last one I went to was when I was a senior in high school."

"You didn't go to games in college?" I ask.

"No," he says. "I tried to stay busy with work and school. I didn't have time for sports."

"Did you play?" I ask.

"I did," he says. "Ever since I was a sixth grader. I've always loved the game."

"It's funny to hear a teacher love sports so much," I say. "All the other teachers around here are old and only like to read."

He chuckles, "That would be why I don't talk to any of them at school. I don't think they really like me."

"I'm sure they love you," I say. "They are probably just jealous of you."

"How so?" He looks at me.

"Well all the girls are on you," I say. "Nobody even acknowledges the other teachers anymore. Well and, uh, I guess you are super hot too. Well and young. They probably wish they could be young again...and hot."